Remove Event Data Recorder

I am not paranoid. Last month I read an article that insurance companies are considering requiring access to these devices when issuing policies.

I have a 2001 Crown Victoria. First I purchased a complete service manual and could find no location specified for the event data recorder.

Next, I located the service port for the diagnostic computer connection, under the dash to the upper right of the gas pedal. As you follow the wires into the dash you will notice a "Y" connection. the wires to the left go to many connections, while the wires to the right deadend in a black plastic box (4x6x2"). This is the event data recorder.

DO NOT BELIEVE ALL THE SCARE STORIES ABOUT DISCONNECTING THE AIR BAGS IF YOU REMOVE THE BOX. All that happened was the windshield wipers would not work! so, I rewired them.

In addition, I relocated the plug-in ( which was hidden behind the ashtray near the firewall) so that I could reconnect the box if necessary. All I did was move the multiprong connection so it was next to the diagnostic connection.

It is my understanding that these event data recorders are mandated on all cars made from 2001 on.

Congress made it illegal for a dealership to disconnect or remove these devices. However, owners may still disable or remove them.

Comments

The even data recorder information has already been used in courts to convict people. Also NHTSA has stated 4th amendment protections are not violated when police take the recorders or download them at accidnet scenes.

Well, in my opinion, you are bogus! If you blew past a stop sign, and broadsided me, then claimed you DID stop, I would want the info from the EDR. By removing the EDR, you are trying to hide something, and that&#146;s bogus. If you&#146;re an honest person, you would have nothing to hide. Get lost, prick.

I will also be removing mine as well, bohmanski, you would dare cut out the police guy who trained an extra 4 years to recreate a crime seen? and then we would have to replace him with...someone dumber. He would be out of a job do to the EDR, lets try a different angle, lets put some value into human worth and figure out how to make people honest instead of them having to seek a more in depth way out.

I'll explain, so I don't remove my EDR, I reprogram it so the log reads in my favor, didn't remove it, still makes me a cheat eh? those that get away with crime have a brain... they might be evil, they maybe dishonest, but they are going to do it even if you cry about it.

Who wanted the EDR congress? do I trust congress with my money? no, do they have any real values in congress besides staying in office? nope... they are scum, and yet you expect the guy who has to pay all the added cost these wonderful people added to car cost etc not to cheat back? uhh geee would of thought. Don't cheat me and I'll remain an honest person, cheat me enough and it is sad but I'll find a way to get my money back for crap like the EDR... trust me even if 51% of people were honest enough to do the right thing, it is truely sad those 51% end up paying for the others 49% who are dishonest, and thats not even a true statement.... In a real world, 90% of people are honest and 10% cause the other 90% added cost in every area of life, and its people like you that support an idea that if one person makes a mistake everyone has to pay, and thats really sad, make the idiot pay, its called punish the right people and let the other people keep their freedoms, EDR is one step closer to the man telling me what to do, and while you may do tricks like a dog, sir I do not.

As long as congress can do stuff behind closed doors why the hell should I even have to even consider crap like the EDR?

Bless you sir for saying this. It is completely an invasion of privacy and a way for insurance companies not to pay in settlements. So the little guy gets screwed to the wall again. I was wondering if you can tell me how you reprogrammed your EDR I would love to do the very same.

I have a 2008 Grand Marque that is still under extended warranty. Can I remove or can the event recorder be wiped? Can the recorder be disabled? What will happen if it is removed or disabled? I just do not like prying eyes.

Very easy to reprogram and you can even set the odometer to 00000 with the correct software. I have wiped them clean in all my cars and trucks. I don't know about the 2001 Crown Vic but the 2002 CV Sport does have one and yes I wiped it clean too as well as changed the code so that speed and breaking are not recorded. Highway Patrol issued me a ticket for 132 MPH after they came to my house and read it, yes I outran them, and it held in court so I got busy.

With the pending bill on the senate floor to require all these to be installed in every American car, you can surely understand one's desire to remove this obtrusive, and constitutionally unlawful device. What site(s) are you aware of that instruct how to remove them, and how would I interact with those installed in our vehicles? We have a cars ranging from 1996 to 2007 and of course would love to know how to interface to correct codes, and complete self-diagnostics without having to pay the $150.00 to a mechanic to do something I can easily do myself as I am an IT guy.

I'd be interested to know what hardware you needed to do the reprogramming and what software, too. I'm a software developer and consultant and would like to attempt this on my cars. Any info you can send would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'd be interested to know what hardware you needed to do the reprogramming and what software, too. I'm a software developer and consultant and would like to attempt this on my cars. Any info you can send would be appreciated. Thanks.